marlin vs uberti vs henry big boy 357 vs rossi?

[lubbockdave]

Howdy all-been a while since I have been here. Any how, I was getting the itch for a 357 lever gun-sold one some time ago and I am missing it! Any how, since the price on the marlin look to be pretty close to the Henry big boy, I was wondering how they matched up? I kinda like the way you have to load the henry, but not sure I want the extra weight.

anyhow, what say the experts on the forum? Which one should I be looking for? Gonne be used mostly for plinking at the range but might find it's way into the field on rare occasion.

Dave

[Ysabel Kid]

If it were me, I'd rank them this way:

Winchester 1892 clone
Marlin
Henry

I like Henry as a company and some of their guns, but have never been a big fan of the "Big Boy". A lot more weight than needed, and I just don't like the lines as much as those on a Winny/Winny clone.

But that's me...

[J Miller]

Howdy all-been a while since I have been here. Any how, I was getting the itch for a 357 lever gun-sold one some time ago and I am missing it! Any how, since the price on the marlin look to be pretty close to the Henry big boy, I was wondering how they matched up? I kinda like the way you have to load the henry, but not sure I want the extra weight.

anyhow, what say the experts on the forum? Which one should I be looking for? Gonne be used mostly for plinking at the range but might find it's way into the field on rare occasion.

Dave

Dave,
For me I'd get either the Marlin 1894, or the Rossi if the caliber of choice is .357Mag.

The Uberti toggle link actions is a topic of concern for several folks on the forum, the concern is mostly about bolt thrust with full powder loads.

The Henry Big Boy is a 8.8 pound behemoth that is mostly a copy of the Marlin 336. Much too heavy and ungainly for a cartridge the size of the .357 Mag.

Just my take on things.

Joe

[COSteve]

What Joe said.

[.45colt]

Marlin.

[the telegraphist]

Marlin also. The Uberti is a fine rifle also, but with 357 pressures I tend to stick with the classic cals in this 1873 number.

[Beaker]

I like the Henry. Marlins are all screwed up with crossbolt safetys and rebounding hammers. The Henry is heavier but it lessens recoil and is easier to steady. But it depends on what your going to do with it. I would not use a Henry for a workhorse brush gun where it could likely get scratched up or damaged but then I am not a hunter.

[AJMD429]

I kinda like the way you have to load the henry, but not sure I want the extra weight.

That kind of sums the way I feel about the Marlin vs. Henry; I even thought about putting a .44 Mag tube on a .357 Marlin to use as the 'outer' tube, cutting a loading port in it, then making the inner/spring-containing one to fit.

If you want to scope the gun get a Marlin or Henry
If you like Winchesters open-top design, get the Rossi
Dunno enough about the Uberti to say one way or another

Between the Marlin and Henry they both work well and are well made, from everything I've heard (don't own a Henry except the .22 LR myself), but the Henry is 'boxier' looking.

Realistically, you may have to just 'settle' for what you can actually find available, as well.

[O.S.O.K.]

Marlin or 92 clone - depending on what you're wanting to do with it... like mounting optics = Marlin IMHO.

If I had to make a choice it would come down the Marlin due to practicality.

[Griff]

If I were given a Henry (Big Boy), I'd sell it for the down payment on a Uberti 1873. Oh, and it would still be in its NIB condition. I wouldn't even bother unwrapping it.

If it were the Marlin I was gifted with, I might shoot it a little while I looked for a Marlin Cowboy or Rossi rifle to swap for.

I wouldn't have to be given the Rossi or a Uberti to own them, I'd buy them myself.

But I wouldn't turn either the Rossi or a Uberti down! Hint, hint!

Hint, partial contents of my safe:
Marlins - 1 (375 Win)
Rossis - 3 (2 .38/357 carbines, 1 .45 Colt rifle)
Uberti - 2 (1860 & 1873 in .45 Colt)
Henry - ZERO!

ALSO, DON'T LET THEIR ADVERTISING RHETORIC FOOL YA. the Henry "Big Boy" shares one common trait with clones of the company's namesake, it is just as dangerous to load. Dropping centerfire rounds down the loading tube onto previously loaded rounds is quite likely to result in a detonation. And unloading, with either the trigger or firing pin block safety engaged, or your finger (or anything else) kept away from the trigger, unloading is as safe as it can get. It still doesn't release one from the basic rules of safe gun handling.

[.45colt]

Beaker ,I may be wrong but I think the only Marlin with a rebounding hammers are the newer .22's. I have picked up 2 new Marlin CF in the last couple of years. they don't have it. I won't own a rebounder.

[lubbockdave]

I appreciate the info guys-anyone know what one of Steve's Rossi's run these days?

Dave